Leaders in Contract & Relationship Management

About the Author

Ken Cole

SPS Consultancy

Ken Cole has worked in senior positions in both the public and private sectors and was one of the founding Directors of SPS in 2001. He recently completed a three year secondment as Director of the London Centre of Excellence. Ken has thrilled many public and private audiences with his incisive analysis, robust delivery and his belief in 'telling it as it is'. His blog is a regular commentary of the improvement and efficiency agenda.

Make sure you pay a frequent visit to find out Ken's latest thoughts on the workings of government, the latest policy initiatives and much more...

Other Recommended Blogs...

Keep Calm and Save Money

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Sep 22, 2011

This is the new slogan that I used on the recent white paper - Having it All - and which is starting to resonate across the UK public sector. While it is very easy to pick on the failings of the public sector, and there are many, they are eclipsed by the ones that happen on an ongoing basis in the private sector. The only difference is that they rarely get highlighted by the media.

The public sector has much to be positive about. It is certainly faring much better than its counterparts in places such as Greece and Ireland. However it needs to organise itself to not only survive financial austerity but also unlock the significant savings that still exist in commissioning and procurement activities.

It doesn't need more people or more reviews. It needs to make much more of the that it already has in its ranks. Well targeted skills and knowledge transfer programmes in key aspects of commissioning, procurement and contract management can make a major difference to the ability of any organisation to deliver some great results. Making cashable savings in local government is not difficult when it comes to procurement and commissioning, it is all about knowing how to unlock them.

We have pickedsix main areasas a starter to help get this process underway. These half day programmes are already making a difference and are highly rated by the local authorities that are running them. KCSM is all about getting the focus and starting to make a difference.